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Buddhist Heritage in the City
Seoul’s Buddhist temples provide the contemplative counterpoint to the palaces’ Confucian formality — quiet compounds of painted timber halls, stone pagodas, and lantern-hung courtyards set into the hillsides within and around the city. The most significant are Jogye-sa (the headquarters of Korean Zen Buddhism, in the city centre — the starting point for the annual Lotus Lantern Festival in May), Bongeun-sa (a 1,200-year-old temple in the Gangnam district, incongruously surrounded by high-rises), and the mountain temples accessible as day trips (Beopju-sa, Haein-sa — the latter housing the UNESCO-listed Tripitaka Koreana, a complete Buddhist canon carved on 81,258 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century).
Temple stay programmes offer overnight stays at Buddhist temples — participating in the monks’ daily routine (predawn meditation, chanting, communal meals, tea ceremony, 108 prostrations) for 1–2 nights. Temple stays are the most immersive cultural experience available in Korea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Seoul’s temples for free?
Jogye-sa and Bongeun-sa are free to enter. Mountain temples may have small entry fees. Temple stay programmes are separately priced (approximately 50,000–80,000 KRW per night including meals and activities).
What is a temple stay?
An overnight stay at a Buddhist temple, participating in the monks’ daily routine — predawn meditation (3:00–4:00 AM wake-up), chanting, tea ceremony, communal vegetarian meals, and 108 prostrations. Available at temples across Korea through the Temple Stay programme.